User:EWinsIA/Everybody Wins! Iowa

Everybody Wins! Iowa, an affiliate of the national Everybody Wins! organization, is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that began in Iowa in 2002. Everybody Wins! Iowa is a literacy and mentoring organization that is dedicated to increasing children’s success in school through reading and mentoring experiences with caring volunteers.

Students win by enjoying consistent and positive interactions with caring adults.

Volunteers win by enjoying meaningful and worthwhile experiences and the satisfaction of knowing they are making a positive impact on the future of a young child.

Schools win by seeing improvement in their students’ literacy skills without assuming any administrative burden or cost.

Companies win by offering a simple, efficient way to enhance employee morale and from the positive effects of providing a valuable service to the community.

There are several ways that volunteers help out Everybody Wins! Iowa:

• Power Lunch

Power Lunch is Everybody Wins! Iowa's signature program. Through Power Lunch, volunteer reading mentors visit a student for one lunch hour each week. The students and volunteer reading mentors spend their time talking, reading aloud one-to-one, eating lunch, and instilling positive attitudes about reading. Volunteers also serve as role models and enhance students' self-esteem. Power Lunch programs are available in 12 Des Moines area schools and 1 school in Newton, Iowa, on a variety of days and times.

• Power Breakfast

Power Breakfast is modeled after the Power Lunch program. Through Power Breakfast, volunteer reading mentors visit a student for one breakfast period each week. Power Breakfast was created in partnership with Children and Family Urban Ministries (CFUM) and takes place on Wednesday mornings from 7:15 – 8:00 AM at the CFUM location (1548 8th Street, Des Moines).

• Story Time

The purpose of Story Time is to bring stories to life, demonstrating to students that reading can be animated and enjoyable. During Story Time, volunteers simply go into a classroom and read a story or short book. The story can be tied to an event or celebration, such a Red Ribbon Week or Fire Prevention Week. Story Time is a perfect opportunity for “celebrity readers” or to showcase your profession.

• Offer Your Expertise

Do you have a special skill or expertise you can offer to Everybody Wins! Iowa? There are many areas in which Everybody Wins! Iowa could use your expertise, including office assistance, accounting and finance, marketing, public relations, web development and design, and graphic design – just to name a few.

• Fundraising and Outreach Committees

Everybody Wins! Iowa invites you to join our newly formed Outreach and Fundraising Committees. The commitees meet once a month for approximately 90 minutes. Please contact Everybody Wins! Iowa for committee descriptions.

Currently, Everybody Wins! Iowa is partnered with 14 elementary schools in Central Iowa.

These include:

• Windsor Elementary

• Monroe Elementary

• Edmunds Elementary

• Carver Community School

• Capitol View Elementary

• Walnut Street School

• Children and Family Urban Ministries

• St. Anthony's Elementary

• River Woods Elementary

• South Union Elementary

• Christ the King School

• St. Theresa School

• Downtown School

• Berg Elementary

The Board of Directors represents a group of diverse individuals who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children.

• Lee Konfrst (President)
• Drew Gentsch (Vice President)
• Jo Ellen Latham (Secretary)
• Molly Phillips (Treasurer)
• Joel Doyle (Past President)
• Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf
• Cathy Callaway
• Summer Evans
• Matthew Grohe
• Paritosh Kasotia
• Amy Keiderling
• Paul F. Kraus
• Chris Mason
• Dan O'Brien
• Molly Phillips
• David Slinker
• Kate Winzenburg

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